![]() ![]() “Saying nothing publicly will be seen as a green light by Modi and his leadership,” he said, “signaling that they can continue down the path they have taken towards authoritarianism and vilification of Muslims.” Sifton believes that only a public upbraiding may enact change. government has been far too quiet about India’s deteriorating human rights situation under Modi,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, “including India’s slide toward authoritarianism and the increasing hate speech and persecution of religious minorities.” Instead, they say in dealing with a geo-strategically vital country of 1.4 billion people, they prefer to level their criticisms behind the scenes.īut doing so, human rights activists argue, means offering a tacit blessing to the abuses taking place under Modi’s watch - and it forfeits an opportunity to improve the situation. has elevated India as part of the Quad alliance - along with Australia and Japan - to reinforce democracy’s position in the Pacific and has pushed New Delhi to act as a buffer against the economic and territorial ambitions of Xi Jinping.īiden administration officials have said they are not blind to India’s faults and troubles. While India has not offered Moscow any direct assistance, it has continued to purchase its gas, helping Russian President Vladimir Putin fund his war efforts.īut India’s biggest role, the administration believes, could be providing a check on China. Biden has leaned on Modi not to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. continues to court him as an essential bulwark on the far side of the globe. While White House officials view Modi with wariness, the U.S. “India places a high priority on its own independence.” ally, and does not seek to become one,” said Alyssa Ayres, who served as a deputy assistant secretary of State for South Asia during the Obama years. ![]() partners and allies - even though India is not a U.S. “It signals that the Biden administration wants to accord India the distinction of being seen as one among the closest U.S. India just became the world’s most populous nation, his nation’s economy is surging, and he will host the world’s leaders at the G-20 in New Delhi this fall. The dinner will further illustrate a Modi ascendant. So far, only French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol have been feted by the Biden administration in such an extravagant fashion. His itinerary includes an address to Congress and meetings with Biden at the White House.īut the showiest moment will be a state dinner on Thursday, an honor normally reserved for close allies. Modi is set to arrive in Washington this week after a stop at the United Nations. In fact, the war in Ukraine likely reminded the Biden administration of the importance of India to its interests.” “U.S.-India relations have never been better, which might come as a surprise given India’s reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. ![]() “The United States needs India as a strategic partner to balance against China both in South Asia and in the Indo-Pacific and India needs the United States as it develops a more prosperous and green future,” said Caroline Grey of the Eurasia Group, a foreign affairs think tank. doesn’t have much to gain in shunning the Indian leader. More generally, foreign policy experts agree that the U.S. But that carries far less symbolism than a public rebuke. White House officials pledge Biden will privately take Modi to task over human rights. ![]()
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